Really long catalogue entries to make yourself crazy...

So I have been cataloging a collection of Civil War volumes (one of several collections that I am up to my eyes with or under, depending on the day...sorry about my silence of late). I just spent several days working on an unusual atlas...one that involved a great deal of research and from which I must admit I learned a great deal and found profoundly interesting. The entry is currently as follows:

U.S. War Department, et al. [Compendium Civil War Atlas Built Around:] Military Maps Illustrating the Operations of the Armies Of The Potomac & James May 4th 1864 to April 9th 1865: including Battlefields of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor, The Siege Of Petersburg And Richmond Battle-fields of Five Forks ... Maps partially prepared by order of Lieut. Genl. U.S. Grant ... Surveys and Maps were executed under the direction of Bvt. Brig. Genl. N. Michler ... and Bvt. Lieut. Col. P.S. Michie ... prepared for publication by Bvt. Brig. Genl. N. Michler ... under the authority of the Hon. Secretary of War. The Surveys and Maps relating to the Battle-fields ... under orders of Brig. & Bvt. Maj. Genl. A.A. Humphreys ... [N.B. This atlas includes Eight additional, related maps (including the renowned "Battlefield of Gettysburg" (all three days/maps), as fully described below)]. Washington DC: War Department/Office of the Chief of Engineers, 1869. First Edition Thus/Privately Bound. Light shelf/edge wear, light wear at head, tail and tips, light rubbing at hinges, dampstain to front board, several maps show minor careful repair, handful small closed tears, the last (Central VA) is a "built" map (in three parts), very minor toning to leaves, else tight, bright and unmarred. Halfbound, black leather spine and tips, gilt lettering and decorative elements. Elephant folio. np. Illus (color and b/w plates). All but one map is double folio (two elephant folio leaves) or larger (several fold-out and one "quad" comprised of two double folios sheets). Hardcover. Very Good [Maps Very Good to Fine]. No DJ as Issued.

Stephenson states these are a "detailed series of maps indicating fortifications, roads, railroads, houses, names of residents, fences, drainage, vegetation, and relief by hachures." (Stephenson 518) The color embodied in these first edition maps makes these significantly more readable than the later editions. This atlas contains all 16 maps as required of the 1869 edition (including the often missing "Harper's Ferry"); interestingly, one of the extra maps tipped in at rear is the "South Mountain" map that was *not* included in the original 1869 printing but *was* included in the 1872 second printing. Originally published as a portfolio of loose plates with a title page, this set was tab-bound (so the maps open flat with no loss) with additional, related maps.

The original maps include, in order:
1: Richmond (double folio; 1.5":1mi scale)
2: Appomattox Court House (double folio; 3":1mi)
3: The Wilderness (double folio; 3":1mi)
4: Spottsylvania Court House (double folio; 3":1mi)
5: High Bridge and Farmville (double folio; 3":1mi)
6: Jettersville and Sailors Creek (double folio; 3":1mi)
7: Bermuda Hundred (double folio; 1.5":1mi)
8: Petersburg and Five Forks (double folio; 1.5":1mi)
9: Totopotomoy (double folio; 3":1mi)
10: Harper's Ferry (double folio; 3":1mi)
11: North Anna (folio; 3":1mi)
12: Gettysburg and Appomattox Court House (double folio x2)
13: Antietam (double folio; 3":1mi)
14: Cold Harbor (double folio; 3":1mi)
15: Chancellorville (double folio; 3":1mi)
16: Fredericksburg (double folio; 3":1mi)

Additional maps include, in order:
1: Campaign Maps Army of the Potomac Map No. 1 Yorktown to Williamsburg (double folio (fold-out); b/w; map compiled 1862; engraved by Dongal)
2: Campaign Maps Army of the Potomac Map No. 2 Williamsburg to White House (double folio (fold-out); b/w; engraved by Dongal)
3: South Mountain (double folio, b/w, N.B. omitted from the original 1869 P&J atlas but added in the 1872 second printing, included here as part of the compendium material)
4: Map of the Battle Field of Gettysburg - Day One, July 1st, 1863 (oversized double folio (fold-out), color, 1":1000', First Printing, 1876) [N.B. This set of three Gettysburg maps are *extremely* desirable and equally hard to find either together or in good condition...a spectacular addition to this collection.]
5: Map of the Battle Field of Gettysburg - Day Two, July 2st, 1863 (oversized double folio (fold-out), color, 1":1000', First Printing, 1876)
6: Map of the Battle Field of Gettysburg - Day Three, July 3st, 1863 (oversized double folio (fold-out), color, 1":1000', First Printing, 1876)
7: Map of the Vicinity of Hagerstown, Funkstown, Williamsport, and Falling Waters Maryland. (showing positions circa Oct. 1, 1863, oversized double folio, color, 1879)
8: Central Virginia Showing Lieut. Gen'l U.S. Grant's Campaign and Marches of the Armies under his Command in 1864-5. (oversized double folio, color, pieced in three sections.

A remarkable collection of 24 maps exploring the actions of the Armies of the Potomac and James. The "core" atlas is rarely found complete and/or in good condition and the "Three Days of Gettysburg" maps are also a rare find complete and in Near Fine Condition. Together and with the additional maps present, this is a unique and quite exceptional collection and a wonderful addition to any sophisticated Civil War collection.